2024 BET Awards Nominations Announced with Drake Leading the Pack
The 2024 BET Awards nominations are out and the excitement is building for Culture’s Biggest Night. Leading the nominations is Drake. Check out the full list here!
Drake attends the 'Amsterdam' World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on Sept. 18, 2022, in New York City.
Photo Credit: Dia Dipasupil/GI
The 2024 BET Awards nominations are out, and the excitement is building for Culture’s Biggest Night. Leading the nominations is Drake, with an impressive seven, followed closely by Nicki Minaj, who garnered six nominations. Other standout artists include J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA, and Victoria Monét, each with five nominations. 21 Savage, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla, and Usher each received four nominations, highlighting the diverse talent within the music industry.
One of the most anticipated categories this year is Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, which features all the fan favorites. The nominees are Cardi B, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, and Sexyy Red. With such a strong lineup, this category is expected to be fiercely competitive and one of the highlights of the night.
In addition to the nominations, the BET Awards 2024 will showcase some of the hottest performers. GloRilla, known for her country and masculine style, is set to bring high energy to the stage. Latto, who has confidently rebranded herself, will surely get the crowd moving with any of her latest hits. Muni Long, transitioning from songwriter to star, will deliver soulful and heartfelt performances.
Sexyy Red, with her playful and daring style, is sure to be a standout. Shaboozey’s unique blend of genres will offer a fresh take on hip-hop. Victoria Monét’s captivating voice and presence will showcase her incredible talent.
As the BET Awards 2024 draws near, anticipation is high for a night of spectacular performances and well-deserved recognition. This year, the ceremony will air live from Los Angeles on BET on Sunday, June 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with the theme Standing on Culture.
Check the complete list of nominations below:
Album of the year
Chris Brown, 11:11
Gunna, A Gift & A Curse
21 Savage, American Dream
Usher, Coming Home
Drake, For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition)
Victoria Monét, Jaguar II
Killer Mike, Michael
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday 2
Best female R&B/pop artist
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Muni Long
SZA
Tyla
Victoria Monèt
Best male R&B/pop artist
Brent Faiyaz
Bryson Tiller
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
October London
Usher
Best group
¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
41
Blxst & Bino Rideaux
City Girls
Flo
Maverick City Music
Wanmor
Best collaboration
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “America Has a Problem (Remix)”
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, “Carnival”
Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami, “Don’t Play With It (Remix)”
Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Everybody”
Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Best female hip-hop artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red
Best male hip-hop artist
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Gunna
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Wayne
Best new artist
41
4Batz
Ayra Starr
Bossman Dlow
Fridayy
October London
Sexyy Red
Tyla
Video of the year
Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
Lil Durk feat J. Cole, “All My Life”
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
Drake feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Video director of the year
Benny Boom
Child.
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson
Offset
Tems
Tyler, The Creator
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Shirley Caesar, “Award All of the Glory”
Kirk Franklin, “All Things”
Halle Bailey, “Angel”
CeCe Winans, “Come Jesus Come”
Erica Campbell, Do You Believe in Love?”
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, “God Problems”
Tems, “Me & U”
Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”
Viewer’s choice award
Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
Gunna, “Fukumean”
Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me”
Muni Long, “Made for Me”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay, “Sensational”
Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Tyla, “Water”
Best international act
Asake (Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Africa)
Bk’ (Brazil)
Cleo Sol (UK)
Focalistic (Africa)
Karol Conká (Brazil)
Raye (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Tyla (Africa)
Viewer’s choice: best new international act
Bellah (UK)
Cristale (UK)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Holly G (France)
Jungeli (France)
Makhadzi (Africa)
Oruam (Brazil)
Seyi Vibez (Africa)
Tyler Icu (Africa)
BET Her
Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”
Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Blessings”
Ayra Starr, “Commas”
Flo feat. Missy Elliott, “Fly Girl”
Megan Thee Stallion, “Hiss”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
SZA, “Saturn”
GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”
Best movie
American Fiction
Bob Marley: One Love
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The Book of Clarence
The Color Purple
The Equalizer 3
The Little Mermaid
Best actor
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Denzel Washington
Donald Glover
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Lakeith Stanfield
Best actress
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Coco Jones
Danielle Brooks
Fantasia
Halle Bailey
Issa Rae
Regina King
YoungStars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Demi Singleton
Heiress Diana Harris
Jabria McCullum
Jalyn Hall
Leah Jeffries
Van Van
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Naomi Osaka
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year Award
Anthony Edwards
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Hurts
Kyrie Irving
Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry
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'Run The World' Cancellation Sparks Fan Outcry and Hope for Renewal
Run The World faces cancellation backlash as Starz axes show after second season, amid controversies and Writers Guild strike. We discuss it here!
By: Camille Shanklin
After just two seasons, Starz has decided to pull the plug on Run the World, leaving fans of the show both upset and concerned. The news of the cancellation has sparked a wave of backlash and questioning within the fan community. On social media platforms like Twitter/X, the hashtag #CancelStarz has been trending as fans voice their displeasure.
Numerous tweets have poured in, expressing frustration and disappointment with Starz's decision. One Twitter/X user lamented, "I hate they canceled Run the World, maybe BET can pick it up." Another vented, "Fk @STARZ and the set they claim!!! Canceling #RunTheWorld and #BlindSpotting🤬🤬🤬 Actual quality shows🙄 I hope those yt Heelz fans make you f*kers suffer!"
Run the World is a series that boasts a full African American cast and revolves around the lives of four women navigating the challenges and adventures of Harlem, New York. The show garnered a dedicated fanbase during its brief run, making its cancellation all the more disheartening for those who enjoyed its representation and storytelling.
The show has already lost one of its stars. According to TVLine, Andrea Bourdeaux, who played Ella in the first season of Run the World, was fired for failing to comply with the production's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, as reported by Deadline. According to Andrea Bourdeaux Instagram she explained briefly in a caption on why she left the show. “I would have loved to continue to grow with this delightful character and having to come to terms with this sharp turn in my life, my dream, and career these past several weeks has been heartbreaking beyond words. Lionsgate made no efforts to find a workable solution.”
The show is now heading for a grand exit, largely due to the Sag-Aftra Writers Guild strike. Unfortunately, networks have not been providing their writers with fair pay, resulting in the cancellation of many shows and episodes. With the writers' strike coming to an end, we hope the show will pick up for a new season. How do you feel about the show being canceled?
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Rap City Documentary Set To Release This Fall
BET has announced that one of the most iconic Hip-Hop shows of all time Rap City is getting its own documentary. We discuss it here!
By: Joshua Martin
BET has announced that one of the most iconic Hip-Hop shows of all time Rap City is getting its own documentary. The three-part series, in partnership with Mass Appeal, premieres on October 10th. Series creator Alvin Jones, better known as “The Unseen VJ”, initially launched the show in 1989 as a competitor to Yo!MTV Raps, with a primary focus on up-and-coming underground rappers.
Big Tigger on the set of Rap City: The Basement.
Former host and media personality, Big Tigger, shared the exciting news via Instagram.
“Go behind the scenes of the longest running of the longest-running national Hip-Hop show of all time… See all your favorite #Rapcity hosts, MCs, DJs, and music insiders give you the REAL about ‘Rap City’...” -Big Tigger
Other previous hosts include Q-45, J-Nicks, Mad Linx, Prince DaJour, Leslie “Big Lex” Segar, Hans “Prime” Dobson, Joe Clar, and Chris Thomas, formally known as the “Mayor”.
The documentary will also feature special guests including T.I., Debra Lee, Eve, Ludacris, Jim Jones, Busta Rhymes, and more.
“I ain’t even gon’ front, ‘Rap City’ was like the primary platform for everybody. No matter how big you may see these people right now… ‘Rap City‘ gave us a launchpad and a countdown to shoot us off into the stratosphere. ”
When reflecting on the show’s end, “Big Tigger” shared these thoughts.
“It was sad to see it end; something that you had so closely intertwined with your name, your likeness, your everything [just] go away. It was like a part of your identity being wiped away. I thought ‘Rap City’ was forever.”
The Rap City documentary was first announced in November 2022 and is now set to debut this fall. Check out some of the show's highlights below.
THE LOX & DRAG ON - RAP CITY THA BASSMENT 1999 W/ BIG TIGGER
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Recap of the 23rd Annual BET Awards
Recap from the 23rd Annual BET Awards featuring nostalgic performances, tributes, and winners celebrated in a star-studded event. We discuss it here!
BET Awards | Christopher Polk/Getty Images
By: Joshua Martin
Wow!! What a night!! The 23rd annual BET Awards, which honors the year’s best performances in music, TV, film and sports was jam packed with plenty of nostalgic performances, memorable speeches and tributes to the late great Tina Turner and this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner Busta Rhymes.
Patti LeBelle sings at the 2023 BET Awards on June 25, 2023. (Michael Tran/ Getty Images)
Led by musical melodies curated by DJ and Producer Kid Capri, the 5 hour long ceremony took place at a packed Microsoft theater in Los Angeles. This year’s ceremony featured live performances from Hip Hop legends like Big Daddy Kane, Master P, Uncle Luke, Trina, Trick Daddy, Ja Rule, the Ying Yang Twins and more… It was truly a celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop.
The past two award shows were hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson, but due to the writers strike, BET like many others are switching to a hostless format. SInger Muni Long took time to acknowledge the importance of writers amid the WGA strike.
“Writers are, in many instances, the glue to the execution of artistry and storytelling. Our ability to extract emotion from performers helping them to articulate their voices and vision to the world is irreplaceable. The protection of the writer is crucial. We simply must protect our intellectual property.”
During the broadcast Latto won Best Hip Hop Female Artist while Coco Jones took home the award for Best New Artist.
Coco Jones receives the Best New Artist at the BET Awards on June 25, 2023. (Kevin Minter/Getty Images)
Drake led all nominees with 7 nominations, including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Album of the ‘Year for Her Loss’ with 21 Savage. 21 Savage and Lizzo followed with 5 nominations each, while Beyonce, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice, and SZA had four.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Quavo and Offset onstage reunion brought out all the feels. It was great to see them squash whatever they had between them to perform some of the ‘Migos’ classic songs in the memory of fallen group Takeoff.
Quavo and Offest performs at the 2023 BET Awards on June 25, 2023. (Kevin Minter/Getty Images)
Busta Rhymes also had something to say about the current state of Hip Hop and what needs to change.
Busta Rhymes received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 BET Awards on June 25, 2023. (Michael Tran/Getty Images)
“Y’all messing up the bag. Y’all messing up the energy. I don’t like when I talk to these dudes that run these streaming platforms and they talking about, ‘You know, we turning the consumer off because there’s so much little this and little that going on with you rappers.’ We’re gonna stop that. We’re gonna love each other, and we gonna get to this money.”
Sza and Beyonce each won three times including tying for the Album of the Year Award
Below is the complete list of winners of each category
BEST ACTOR
Damson Idris — WINNER
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett — WINNER
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Marsai Martin — WINNER
BEST MOVIE
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — WINNER
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Renaissance, Beyoncé — WINNER (tie)
SOS, SZA — WINNER (tie)
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
SZA — WINNER
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Chris Brown — WINNER (tie)
Usher — WINNER (tie)
BEST GROUP
Drake & 21 Savage — WINNER
BEST COLLABORATION
“Wait For U,” Future feat. Drake & Tems — WINNER
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Latto — WINNER
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Kill Bill,” SZA — WINNER
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor — WINNER
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coco Jones — WINNER
BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL
“Bless Me,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin — WINNER
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé — WINNER
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy (Nigeria) — WINNER
BET HER AWARD (honoring motivational and empowering songs that center women)
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé — WINNER
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Angel Reese — WINNER
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Jalen Hurts — WINNER
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Tyler Perry is Looking to Take Ownership of BET Through Purchase of Majority Stake
Media mogul, Tyler Perry, is seeking to acquire BET through a purchase of Paramount Global’s majority stake, which would give him ownership. We discuss it here!
LOS ANGELES, CA. January 06, 2019: Tyler Perry at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency via Shutterstock
By: Omar Cook
Tyler Perry has been a staple on BET for years, with hit shows like House of Payne and The Oval, so it’s no surprise that news broke this week of Perry being in conversations to potentially purchase Paramount Global’s majority stake in BET, giving him ownership of the network.
Tyler Perry is currently signed to a deal with Paramount which is expected to end soon, and this new deal with BET would give Perry full control over a network that includes BET, BET+, and VH1. In 2000, Paramount, which was formerly Viacom, acquired BET for $2.3 billion.
Variety confirmed that mogul Byron Allen is also looking to pursue purchasing the network. Allen and his company, Allen Media Group, have been very active in the last 3 years investing over $1 billion to acquire 27 ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox affiliates.
Perry and BET have been in partnership for almost 2 decades as BET assisted Perry with funding his debut feature film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Perry also has multiple other shows on BET including Sisters, Ruthless, Assisted Living, and Zatima.
BET was founded on January 25, 1980 by media entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson, with the vision to reach African American audiences through cable TV, and that vision has been successful.
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Make B.E.T Black Again: B.E.T And Its Diversity Problem
Several critics have asserted that B.E.T's programming perpetuates harmful stereotypes for ratings and promotes a one-dimensional view on black culture and community today. Being that we're in the age of inclusion and diversity, this is a call for B.E.T to be proactive and lead the charge in that respect.
By: Prince Hakeem
January 25, 1980, was the day when a television network solely geared towards the African American demographic first launched on television. Black Entertainment Television, or B.E.T, was initially created to be the go-to spot for prominent African American-centered programming, ranging from entertainment, news, public affairs, and so on.
The network was founded by former cable industry lobbyist Robert L. Johnson with a $15,000 loan and $500,000 investment from media executive John Malone. Starting with altruistic intentions, Johnson saw the dearth of positive depictions of the black community at the time and sought to fill that void. In its first year, B.E.T started with two hours of weekly programming comprised of music videos and reruns of black sitcoms. It wasn't until 1983 B.E.T became fully independent of any channel or programming block as a network.
By the mid-80s the company started to turn a profit after making some changes to its format. In 1985 B.E.T diversified itself by featuring politically-oriented news programs, comedy showcases, talk shows, and sports features. Things began to take off with the launch of the Ed Gordon hosted BET News show in 1988.
The network continued to flourish throughout the 90s with other news programs and specials, including Black Men Speak Out: The Aftermath, Our Voices, and Lead Story. Gordon was at the helm of many of these interview specials and news shows. More notably, B.E.T premiered the talk show 'BET Talk', later called ‘BET Tonight’, in 1996, hosted by Travis Smiley. Indeed, it was a great time to be a viewer of this burgeoning network focused on black people. B.E.T's strength came from its diversity in programming, vast perspectives, and focus on the black influence within pop culture and entertainment.
However, things started to take a downward turn at the start of the new century. By 2002, B.E.T went through a restructuring phase where it leaned heavily into its entertainment programs primarily airing rap videos. The network canceled nearly all of its news staff and news programs. 'BET Nightly News' remained until its cancellation in 2005.
Next came the wave of toxic, yet fun, reality television shows. Full disclaimer, this isn't an attack on rap/hip-hop's merit and value within the black community. Some of the network's greatest achievements, such as '106 & Park', 'BET Uncut, 'College Hill' and 'Baldwin Hills', came about during this time. Rather, B.E.T's insistent and singular focus on comedy and shallow aspects within hip-hop are what caused the downtrend in quality and reputation. It was telling the world this is what being black is all about.
You don't have to take my word as gospel. B.E.T has been put through the wringer, facing harsh criticism from prominent voices in the black community. Filmmaker Spike Lee once slandered B.E.T for lacking serious entertainment and rap music which promotes ignorance. Finance professor Dr. Boyce Watkins claimed the network was operating on the same game plan as the Ku Klux Klan.
Producer and cartoonist Aaron McGruder famously roasted B.E.T in an episode of the beloved animated show The Boondocks. “The Hunger Strike” episode parodied B.E.T as an evil organization hell-bent on the destruction of the black community. McGruder continued the criticism, claiming executives failed to elevate network standards. While all the woes within the black community cannot be laid at the feet of B.E.T, they haven't helped.
These critics and others have asserted that B.E.T's programming perpetuates harmful stereotypes for ratings and bottom-line business. They further claim the television network promotes and justifies sexism, racism, tired tropes, and a one-dimensional view on black culture and community today. Not much has changed in several of those regards. Despite marrying itself to the lackluster writing and production of a religious, yet, loveable Tyler Perry, B.E.T is a mixture of trap-bougie-Atlanta meets Soul Plane.
Nonetheless, it's never too late for a course correction. The answer is staring them right in the face. Take a page from the beginning years, and return to having a pallet of different programming and entertainment genres. Since we're in the age of inclusion and diversity, this is a call for B.E.T to be proactive and lead the charge in that respect. B.E.T wants to tote itself as the network which represents and celebrates black culture, right? If so, they need to do that for "all" within the spectrum of black culture.
The black identity and culture have more than grown past American borders. The visibility and consciousness of blackness are on the world stage now. There is no way we can preach and dictate conversations with general white and non-black mainstream pop culture about diverse blackness and how's it's moved beyond pigeon-holed stereotypes if we do not hold one of its platforms to the same standards. The quality of content and production informs audiences about the demographics it represents.
This can start with its crown achievement, the B.E.T Awards. Remember blackness being vast and diverse in today's cultural landscape? Let's look at the entertainment side of things for example. The surge of visibility of black country artists has slowly become clear to see. Country artists such as Mickey Guyton, Rissi Palmer, Reyna Roberts, Jimmie Allen, and Ashlie Amber should be performing at the B.E.T Awards and Black Girls Rock. They're systematically undervalued and disrespected within the country music industry.
It's time to bring these artists in and create a home for the black country fans who love and follow their music. Allow them to feel seen. Black k-pop fans virtually run Twitter at this point. They get their favorite bands and acts trending all the time it appears. B.E.T could tap into that energy and fandom by creating an interactive space for them during B.E.T Experience weekend. In regards to politics, this past election has more than proven that the black community is not homogenous in its ideologies. Newsflash! Black Republicans exist, and it's high time we, as a culture, acknowledge that and bring them in. Their voices matter as well.
Lastly, Black Twitter is internet and pop culture. From memes to challenges, to the latest catchphrases, and slang. Content creators like Mark Phillips of RDCWorld and Josiah Johnson should be in the building helping to bring the internet to tv screens. B.E.T should be scouring black Twitter as a viral think tank for innovative content and cultural representation. The future is now.
Meet Sharmaine Johnson, Media Correspondent for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Sharmaine@247LCTV.com